From Gerald Marsh
Lawrence Krauss’s commentary on the appearance of Christopher Monckton’s piece on global warming in the newsletter of the American Physical Society’s (16 August, p 46) could be read as implying that I should have warned the editors that Monckton is a controversial figure.
To clarify the record, here is what I wrote to the editors about recommendations for those who could contribute to the debate on the side of those who do not see global warming as a threat: “I have had direct contact with only three people. I would recommend you contact: Willie Soon at Harvard, Christopher Monckton, and Freeman Dyson at the Institute for Advanced Study. Willie is an astronomer and Christopher has a background in science. He is a bit of a controversial figure (challenges Al Gore to debate him in ads in The New York Times and other major media) and is also known as Viscount Monckton of Brenchley. He is a serious participant in the debate and has done some good scientific critiques of the IPCC. Dyson needs no introduction.
“A few more that I have not had any contact with who have done excellent work in the area are Sally Baliunas, H. Svensmark, E. Friis-Christensen, and Judith Lean. There are many more, and I am sure these folks can put you into contact with them.”
I think this makes it clear that I did not suggest that Monckton is a climate scientist or holds a doctorate, nor is this relevant to the merits of his arguments.
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From Ian Richardson
Lawrence Krauss asks: “Where does limiting debate to genuine scientific differences become censorship?” An equivalent question is: “How open-minded do I have to be before my brain falls out?”
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